"Which way should I chase them next-"
Aoi Todo rubbed his chin, weighing which direction to pursue, when he suddenly sensed movement behind him.
"Hm?" He turned to look.
Itadori, who had been slumped against a tree, had somehow gotten back on his feet. Blood still streaked his face, and his uniform was covered in dirt and grass clippings, but his back was straight. His gaze fixed squarely on Aoi Todo, like a nail driven into the dirt that sprang back up after someone stomped on it.
"Hasn't anyone ever told you-" Itadori began, his voice a little hoarse but still strong, "that kicking and punching someone in the head makes them stupid?"
Aoi Todo looked at him, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "Doesn't matter. Takaten said boys are better when they're a little dumb."
"Who's that? I don't know any idols or whatever." Itadori frowned, sounding rather confused.
"If you know she's an idol, how could you not know her?" Aoi Todo's gaze lingered on Itadori's face for a moment. Then his voice lowered, as though he had made a decision. "Kid, tell me your name."
"Yuji Itadori."
Aoi Todo suddenly assumed a fighting stance. He staggered his feet, lowered his center of gravity, and raised his hands in front of his chest. His gaze locked onto Itadori like a blade freshly drawn from its sheath.
"What kind of woman do you like?"
Itadori froze for a moment, his brow furrowing further. "Huh? Why are you asking that?"
"I just want to know what kind of person you are-answer me." Aoi Todo's tone left no room for argument.
Itadori rubbed his chin, tilted his head up, and thought about it.
"If I had to say..." He paused, as though carefully sorting through his answers. "Tall girls with